Planning amendments proposed before construction starts on Brentford Community Stadium
Brentford FC, together with its development partner Be (formerly Willmott Dixon Residential), are presenting amendments to the approved Brentford Community Stadium development to members of the London Borough of Hounslow (LBH) Planning Committee on 24 August before plans are submitted in early September for the Council to consider. These are the final changes which, subject to approval by LBH, will mean construction of the new stadium will start early in 2018 with the aim of completion by late 2019 or early 2020.

Since the original planning permission was granted in June 2014, significant changes have taken place both within the development marketplace and in relation to Premier League football and Premiership rugby union requirements. As a result, the Club and Be have undertaken a detailed review, to ensure the stadium is Premier League compliant upon completion; to enhance the urban and residential design; and to reduce the risks from the stadium construction process and its future operation.
The result is a stadium that is smaller in capacity (down from 20,000 seats to 17,250) and which will be sited three metres south of its original location. This will allow the incorporation of a road at the northern perimeter to improve access through the site and ease the construction constraints imposed by a site bounded on all sides by railway lines. In addition, Be are taking this opportunity to revise the residential development to create a better and more integrated sense of place, with increased permeability. The stadium and the enabling residential development will remain within the planning envelope approved in 2014 and there is no increase in either the height or the overall number of homes within the residential development.

These amendments will not impact on the overall quality of the stadium. In fact, recent successful seasons in the Championship have only served to harden the resolve of the owner, Matthew Benham, and the management team of the Football Club to continue its pursuit of Premier League status. This is illustrated by the fact that a key amendment involves the inclusion of Premier League compliant Outside Broadcast facilities within the stadium itself, together with facilities to meet the latest Premier League requirements for lighting and media. Similarly, the new stadium will benefit from premium lounges with the capability of welcoming up to 3,000 guests. There is also provision for some safe standing, when legislation allows for this.

The facilities for the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust will not now be within the stadium itself. Instead, it’s proposed that the Trust’s offices, Learning Zone and Hounslow’s Interim Education Centre will be housed in the ground and first floor of the Central Eastern residential block, immediately next to the stadium, giving them dedicated facilities which can be used 365 days a year, something that was not possible if they had been located in the stadium.

The proposed amendments to the residential development are focussed around the first phase and specifically about improving the experience for all those who will come to enjoy the site. A new square which knits the apartment buildings and the stadium together provides a proper main entrance to the stadium, whilst the addition of non-residential uses around the square will make it somewhere people will want to come on non-match days. The look of the buildings has been improved to make them much more in keeping with the existing architecture in the local area and the apartment buildings themselves have been re-planned to better suit market needs. Of the 910 homes consented for the scheme, 487 will be delivered in the first phase with residents able to both rent and buy.

Cliff Crown, Chairman of Brentford FC said: “I would like to thank the fans of Brentford FC for their support and patience during this last stage of detailed planning. I know that some fans may be concerned that the capacity of the stadium will be reduced but it is critical that this project is as financially robust and deliverable as possible. I am delighted that we are continuing to prepare for life in the Premier League with enhanced media, Outside Broadcast and lighting facilities to make the stadium fully compliant from day one, with provision for safe standing as soon as legislation allows.”
Conor Hayes, Chairman of Lionel Road Development Ltd and Corporate Adviser (appointed May 2016), added: “We are looking forward to submitting these planning amendments that are the final hurdle to us getting on site to start the stadium build itself. These proposals will help make the scheme as financially robust as possible, whilst still providing a high quality stadium and residential development that will help to regenerate this area, provide significant benefits to the local communities and deliver a Premier League ready stadium.”

Matthew Townend, Managing Director at Be Living Ltd said: “We have had a very productive six months, working closely with the club. These proposed amendments will improve the fans’ experience as they approach and leave the stadium, enhance the amenity for future residents and, we believe, create a greater sense of place not just on match days, but all year round for everyone coming to the development.”

Fuller, Smith and Turner PLC, the London brewer and premium pub company, and Brentford Football Club are delighted to announce a new strategic partnership. A two-year agreement has been reached for Fuller’s to become an Official Club Partner of Brentford FC in a deal that sees London Pride continue to be available to supporters on matchday at Griffin Park. Fuller’s and Brentford have a history that goes back more than a century, to when Fuller’s donated a nearby apple orchard to the Club, which became their Griffin Park home in 1904 – the name being a nod to Fuller’s Griffin Brewery.

The new deal sees Fuller’s become Brentford’s Official Premium Ale Partner. London Pride will be available on every bar including The Hive, the main supporters’ bar. Their partnership features key branding round the stadium, including on Brentford’s incoming perimeter LED advertising system, the London Pride pint and can mascots will be making regular appearances and Fuller’s was the Match Sponsors for the first home league game of the season, when The Bees took on Nottingham Forest on Saturday 12 August.

Other elements of the package, to be activated in the future, will include player appearances, match tickets and a two-way discount which will see special group promotions for Fuller’s employees, while Brentford FC Season Ticket Holders and Club Members will get a discount on tours of Fuller’s Griffin Brewery, Brewery shop and selected Fuller’s Pubs.

Simon Dodd, Managing Director of The Fuller’s Beer Company, said: “With the historic link between Brentford and Fuller’s, it’s great to see our flagship beer on sale at Griffin Park. We have a lot of Brentford supporters working at the Brewery, it is a club that is geographically very close and we know that London Pride will be a popular choice on The Bees’ bars.”

James Parkinson, Brentford FC Commercial Director, added: “The relationship between Fuller’s and Brentford goes back a long way and we are delighted to have now reached an official partnership agreement with Fuller’s. The Club prides itself in delivering engaging partnerships that reach beyond just branding and marketing, but which can deliver a true partnership, working together to add value to both our supporters and Fuller’s staff. We look forward to working with the Fuller’s team in the years to come.”

The University of West London (UWL) and Brentford Football Club are delighted to strengthen their close relationship with the announcement of a new long-term partnership which has at its heart the communities that both parties are proud to represent.

As a platinum partner of the club, UWL’s logo will from this season take pride of place on the top tier of the Brook Road Stand at Griffin Park, in a visible sign of the university’s commitment to supporting the local community as a provider of first-rate higher education courses. The university’s brand will also feature on the rear of players’ shirts and shorts across the First Team and B Team playing kits. In addition, UWL will also be one of the first to enjoy Brentford’s state-of-the-art LED perimeter advertising system, to be installed in the coming months.

This new three-year partnership comes at a fantastic time for both Brentford FC and the university. UWL is recognised as London’s top modern university in the latest Guardian University Guide and has also recently achieved the biggest increases of any UK institution in three league tables for the Higher Education sector. Meanwhile, The Bees have just kicked off their fourth season in the Sky Bet Championship – their longest stay in the second tier for more than 60 years – and are looking to build on three consecutive top ten finishes.

Fundamental to the new community-focused collaboration which UWL and Brentford FC have agreed is delivering educational programmes that help forge bonds between the Club and students, associated businesses and local organisations in Ealing and Hounslow boroughs. Valuable work placements for undergraduates and opportunities to take part in matchdays at Griffin Park are just two possible joint projects.

Professor Anthony Woodman, UWL Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: ‘We are delighted to strengthen our long-standing relationship with Brentford FC at this exciting time for the club on the pitch and UWL as London’s top modern university.

‘As a proud member of the local community which we serve, this relationship is enormously valuable and we look forward to the opportunities it will continue to provide our students over the next three years. By working closely in partnership with Brentford FC on programmes which fully utilise the university’s resources and expertise, both our students and the community will benefit.’

Mark Devlin, Brentford FC Chief Executive, said: ‘We are very pleased to continue our long standing relationship with University of West London, and I thank them for their continued support. Both organisations are major players in our community and we are looking to extend the way our partnership engages and benefits the community and students. The University has achieved some spectacular results over the past 12 months and it is tremendous that we agreed a long-term extension to our partnership at a time when the Club is so focused on achieving its ambition to gain promotion to the Premier League. I look forward to continuing our successful relationship with everyone at UWL.’

After 350 years of Navy activities, VOC-trade and many (567) constructed ships, it’s time to bring ‘the beautiful game’ to the Kattenburg Navy complex in downtown Amsterdam. Torpedo Kattenburg, a football club in formation, is the brainchild of Dutchmen Martijn Wuite and Lucien Burm.​ They discovered a football pitch on the now defunct Navy complex and it’s their dream to use it as their new home ground.

The enthusiasm and interest of future playing members from the Kattenburg neighborhood in Amsterdam has been overwhelming. We support them in their dream and asked designer Angelo Trofa to design a Navy inspired kit which is visible in the crest, colours, waves pattern and details of the shirt.

From our friends at Copa here’s a little novelty item about Noel Gallagher of Oasis. “He was wearing our official FC Barcelona 1980 – 1981 retro shirt on stage during his High Flying Birds gig in the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. He was spotted shopping for the shirt earlier that day in the The Camp Nou FC Barcelona Megastore.
This official FC Barcelona 1980-81 retro shirt and the complete collection, made and designed under official license of the club, can be found online at copafootball.com and via selected retailers and online resellers.”

…and right up to date. Do you want to want a 2017/2018 shirt signed by the newly wed, Mr L Messi?

The show continues with the contract renewal of Leo. Get a signed shirt signed by the Argentine star.
Enter the draw for this special item dedicated to the player with the most Ballon d’Or prizes in history.

I came across this team photo today. It is the Spanish team that won the 2012 European Championships. After a World Cup in South Africa in 2010 that ended in victory over the Netherlands much was expected in 2012 too. Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 with a goal from Andrés Iniesta four minutes from the end of extra time. It was watershed for La Roja because Spain’s best performance had been fourth place in 1950. In the seven games they only conceded TWO goals! Previously, they had won the 2008 European Championships so hopes were high for 2012.

The 2012 UEFA European Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2012 or simply Euro 2012, was the 14th European Championship for men’s national football teams organised by UEFA. The final tournament, held between 8 June and 1 July 2012, was co-hosted for the first time by Poland and Ukraine, and was won by Spain, who beat Italy 4–0 in the final at the NSC Olimpiyskiy in Kiev, Ukraine.

Spain became the first team to win two consecutive European Championships, and also three straight major tournaments (Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012).

How many of the 2012 squad can you name? Spoiler below me with the FA Cup (-ish!)

Although everybody knows that I am a huge Real Madrid fan, I have always had a soft sport for Atletí and even more so now that Diego Simeone is head coach. I love his passion for the game and the way he transmits that to his players. Anyway, although I was on the far side of Madrid, I could not miss the opportunity of visiting their new stadium which is near completion. The Wanda Metropolitano has been featured extensively in the media and there is no doubt that it will be a great addition to La Liga. My concern with less than six weeks to go before the start of the new season is whether it will be ready! Mmmmm, let´s see!My bet is that it will not be and that they will have to reverse the first few fixtures but I wish them every happiness and success in their new home.

I found myself in Zaragoza for a few weeks so it would have been rude not to visit the stadium and find out about the kit for 2017. For many years they had considered themselves the number one club in Aragon but 2016-2017 was an indifferent season and their near neighbours Huesca got into the play-offs (losing to Getafe)

The ground, La Romareda, is 60 years old this year and they are making a big thing about this anniversary whereas they may be better making a big thing about redeveloping it. I have to say it looks very tired. Good luck to the club in 2017/2018.

Brentford Football Club and LeoVegas announce Shirt Sponsorship and Title Partnership

Brentford Football Club and LeoVegas are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership. The West London club and the industry-leading mobile gaming company have signed a two-year agreement today, Monday 19 June, that will see LeoVegas become the Title Partner of Brentford FC as they look to challenge for promotion to the Premier League.

Award-winning mobile casino and sportsbook operator LeoVegas.com, will have its branding on the front of Brentford’s home and away shirts for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons. The logo will also appear on selected team Training Wear and be featured prominently around Griffin Park.

The two-year partnership means that when Brentford’s new adidas shirts are revealed shortly they will feature LeoVegas’ iconic branding. The mobile gaming company will also be displayed above the goal at the Brook Road end of Griffin Park and on the Braemar Road stand as well as on pitch side and programme advertising and at various promotional events. The deal is set to cover Brentford’s final two years at their historic Griffin Park home before a move to the Brentford Community Stadium and will start as The Bees begin their fourth consecutive season in the Championship after three top-ten finishes.

LeoVegas has cemented its position as a world leader in the mobile gaming industry, and since summer 2016 has been growing its sport offering – with the launch of its sportsbook and growing sponsorship roster, including partnerships with Leicester Tigers and professional golfer Mathias Schjølberg. The partnership with Brentford FC aims to increase its presence in the football industry and make the company a household name amongst sport fans.

Mark Devlin, Brentford FC Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted to welcome LeoVegas on board as a partner of the Club. We are pleased to add a rapidly growing brand like LeoVegas to an already strong commercial family that includes local, national and international companies.

“During our discussions with LeoVegas it was clear that they were a company we could work with. There was a synergy between us and the benefits of the relationship appealed to all parties. We believe there are common values we share and we look forward to working closely with LeoVegas over the next two years.”

Jon Sinclair, Head of LeoVegas in UK and Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Brentford FC. The much-loved club is, like us, ambitious and innovative – which perfectly aligns with our technological expertise and mobile first ethos.

“This partnership marks an exciting growth in our sports offering, and offers the perfect platform for us to engage with more football fans – something which is important for us to do over the coming months as we focus on the evolution of our sports betting product.

“Brentford play in one of the most-watched leagues in the world and have incredibly loyal fans – we’re thrilled to be at the heart of the action with them.”